Semaglutide 2.4 mg Cuts Hospitalization Risk in CVD, Obesity: Daily Dose

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On November 5, 2024, we reported on results of an exploratory post hoc analysis of the phase 3 SELECT cardiovascular outcomes trials (CVOT) presented at ObesityWeek 2024.

The study

Researchers conducted the post hoc analysis to determine the impact of semaglutide on total hospital admissions and duration of hospital stay, in any indication. The SELECT multicountry CVOT was initiated in 2018 and compared the effect of treatment with semaglutide 2.4 mg and placebo weekly on cardiovascular (CV) events in 17 604 adults aged ≥45 years with established CVD, with body mass index (BMI) ≥27 kg/m² and without diabetes.

The findings

Participants treated with semaglutide 2.4 mg were 11% less likely to be hospitalized for any cause. CV-related hospitalizations were reduced by 17%, but among participants who received semaglutide reductions in inpatient care of 15% to 24% were observed for other causes as well.

Researchers also observed that hospital admission for any indication was lower among semaglutide-treated participants (33.4%) than for those receiving placebo (33.4%) (HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.84-0.93; P <.001). A similar difference was seen for admissions for serious adverse events, which occurred in 30.3% treated with semaglutide and 33.4% treated with placebo (HR 0.88, [0.84-0.93], P <.001). For all indications, the number of total hospital admissions was lower among semaglutide- vs placebo-treated participants (18.3 vs 20.4 admissions per 100 patient years [PY], HR 0.90 [0.85-0.95]; P =.0002) as it was also for total serious adverse events (15.2 vs 17.1 admissions per 100 PY, HR 0.89 [0.84-0.94], P <.001).

Authors' comment

"This cohort had a high rate of admissions. Treatment with semaglutide 2.4 mg once weekly resulted in significant reductions in hospital admissions and overall time spent in hospital, extending the benefits beyond those of CV events."

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